Wire Alums Trade Baltimore for Geekville

Actor Jamie Hector.
Photo: Paul Schiraldi

HBO’s new seriesGame of Thrones, based on George R. R. Martin’s epic fantasy novels, is being touted as a medieval Wire. Makes sense: Like the complex Baltimore crime drama (which ran five seasons on the network), Thrones boasts braided story lines, inscrutable colloquialisms, and a never-ending pursuit to crown a king. No coincidence, then, that Wire alum Aidan Gillen—who played oil-slick politician Tommy Carcetti—is among its stars. But we’ve noticed that Gillen is just one in a gang of former cast members who’ve made their way into geek culture. Our only question: Where’s Snoop?

Baltimore:Detective Lester Freamon, who worked wiretaps like Yo-Yo Ma on a cello.Geekville: Did voice work for Doctor Who animated series Dreamland and played parts in Life on Mars, Treme, and Damages.

Lance Reddick

Baltimore: Lt. Cedric Daniels, ever-frustrated but always with a winkGeekville:Lost role is a distant dharmic vision, but he still remains on the Fringe as a special agent.

Baltimore: Irascible detective Jimmy McNulty: What the f*@! did he do?Geekville: Played Greek politician Theron in 300, that’s what! Next: a princely turn in Andrew Stanton’s John Carter of Mars, slated for March 2012.

Michael K. Williams

Baltimore: Whistling, gun-toting Omar Little, Robin of the ‘hoodGeekville: A supporting role as Atlantic City power player Chalky White on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire

Isiah Whitlock Jr.

Baltimore: Clay Davis, a crooked state senator who ended up in deep sheeeitGeekville: After a stint as a sleazy PI on the short-lived series Rubicon, he hit the big screen as a conventioneer in indie comedy Cedar Rapids.